Understanding how small cell lung cancer spreads
Official title: Unraveling Metastasis Drivers in Small Cell Lung Cancer via Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Approach
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11111783 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how small cell lung cancer spreads aggressively by creating special lung cells from human stem cells, so researchers can better understand what makes the cancer grow and spread, helping to improve treatment for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $230,010 |
| NIH project number | 1R21CA299377-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111783 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, particularly those experiencing aggressive disease progression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer or those without a diagnosis of lung cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind the aggressive spread of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) using advanced techniques. By creating lung cells from human stem cells that mimic SCLC, researchers can study how these cells behave and metastasize in a controlled environment. The project combines innovative models, including patient-derived samples and cutting-edge sequencing technologies, to explore the cellular and molecular factors that drive metastasis in SCLC. This approach aims to provide deeper insights into the disease and its progression.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating the aggressive spread of small cell lung cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using stem cell models to study cancer metastasis, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Joyce Huanhuan — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Chen, Joyce Huanhuan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Brain metastasis targeting and therapy in small cell lung cancer
A new plan to study why small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain and how to treat those brain metastases with safer, more effective options.
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Understanding what makes small cell lung cancer spread using human stem cells
Researchers will use lung cells made from human stem cells and advanced genetic and sequencing tools to find what causes small cell lung cancer to spread, aiming to help people with SCLC.
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Targeting a newly discovered cancer stem cell driver that helps non-small cell lung cancer spread
This project will test whether blocking a newly found regulator in cancer stem cells can slow progression and spread of non-small cell lung cancer.
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Understanding how lung cancer cells work together to spread
This research aims to understand how groups of lung cancer cells communicate and move together, which causes cancer to spread throughout the body.
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Understanding how small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain
This study is looking into how small cell lung cancer spreads to the brain, which can be a tough challenge for patients, and it hopes to find new ways to treat this issue by understanding how the cancer cells behave in the brain.
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Finding new ways to target cancer stem cells in lung cancer
This study is looking at a type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to find new ways to treat it by understanding special cancer cells that help the disease grow and resist treatment, and patients may have the chance to try out these new treatments as they are developed.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.